Useful macOS defaults: Mouse

2017-03-20 17:00

Mouse settings live in two domains. Set both to cover both built-in and Bluetooth mice:

com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.mouse (Bluetooth Magic Mouse)
com.apple.AppleMultitouchMouse (wired or other Apple mice)

Some settings also live in NSGlobalDomain.

After changing these, log out and back in.

Tracking speed

Set how fast the cursor moves. The range is 0 (slowest) to 3 (fastest). The default is about 1:

defaults write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.mouse.scaling -float 2.0

Set to -1 to turn off mouse acceleration entirely (the cursor moves at a fixed speed regardless of how fast you move the mouse). Some gamers and designers prefer this:

defaults write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.mouse.scaling -int -1

Scroll direction

Set whether scrolling follows your finger ("natural") or goes the other way:

defaults write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.swipescrolldirection -bool false

Set to false for the traditional scroll direction (scroll down to move content down). Set to true for natural scrolling.

Note: this setting also affects the trackpad. macOS does not let you set different scroll directions for the mouse and trackpad through defaults. Third-party tools can do this.

Scroll speed

Set how fast the scroll wheel moves:

defaults write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.scrollwheel.scaling -float 0.5

The default is about 0.215. Higher values scroll faster. Set to -1 to turn off scroll acceleration.

Secondary click (right click)

Turn on right click for the Magic Mouse:

defaults write com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.mouse MouseButtonMode -string "TwoButton"

Values:

OneButton = no right click (the whole surface is a left click)
TwoButton = right side is right click

Smart zoom

Double-tap with one finger on the Magic Mouse to zoom in:

defaults write com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.mouse MouseOneFingerDoubleTapGesture -int 1

Set to 0 to turn it off.

Swipe between pages

Swipe left and right with one finger on the Magic Mouse to go back and forward in Safari:

defaults write com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.mouse MouseTwoFingerHorizSwipeGesture -int 1

Mission Control gesture

Tap with two fingers on the Magic Mouse to open Mission Control:

defaults write com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.mouse MouseTwoFingerDoubleTapGesture -int 3

Double-click speed

Set how fast you need to double-click. Lower values need faster clicks:

defaults write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.mouse.doubleClickThreshold -float 0.5

The default is about 0.5 seconds.

Read all current mouse settings

defaults read com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.mouse
defaults read com.apple.AppleMultitouchMouse
defaults read NSGlobalDomain | grep -i mouse

Notes

Third-party mice (Logitech, Razer, and so on) often use their own drivers and settings apps. The defaults above mainly affect Apple mice and basic USB mice. For third-party mice, use the maker's software for full control.

Enjoyed this post?

Well, you could share the post with others, follow me with RSS Feeds and/or send me a comment via email.